Whatever happened to the Austrian's in skating? (Szabo was Austrian.) Austria used to be as important in figure skating as they now are in skiing.

Welcome, skating mon. Thanks for posting!

I think the biggest factor was that World War II came along and knocked the whole European figure skating program for a loop. Especially in men's. In the 18 years between the two world wars Austrian men won a total of 31 World medals. When skating resumed after the war, from 1948 to 1959 U.S. men won 12 straight world championships, facing little competition from Europe.

Beatrix Schuba was a great champion, though. Probably the greatest figure skater of all time.